Suthep targets city police HQ

[webfact]

Suthep targets city police HQ
The Nation



Dares them to arrest him; vows to continue in face of sedition arrest warrant

BANGKOK: -- ANTI-GOVERNMENT protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban insisted last night on taking a tough stance against the Yingluck Shinawatra government by calling on his supporters to continue with their efforts to seize the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) - which he said was a stronghold of the powers-that-be. A target of his key objective, it shows he has no plans to retreat anytime soon.

"Tomorrow we will lay siege of the MPB compound. Let them see that police can fight armed policemen and beat them. It is the police who fired tear gas at us over the past two days. Tomorrow, we will go so they can fire it again," he said.

He added that were two government strongholds as well as the MPB - Government House and the Royal Thai Police headquarters.

Speaking at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, Suthep dared the police to arrest him. "I'll spend the night at Government Complex. If he is arrested, someone else will take over job," said Suthep, referring to his title as secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Meanwhile, for the first time since the protests began a month ago, two people were reported to have sustained wounds from live bullets yesterday. This comes after the two-day battle between protesters and police guarding the MPB. The injuries were confirmed in a statement from Ramathibodi Hospital last night.

The statement, read out by Assoc Prof Dr Somsak Udomlipi, confirmed that the victims had been hit by 9mm calibre bullets. One unidentified victim was hit in the spine, which may leave him unable to walk permanently.

Dr Somsak said information on the trajectory of the bullet would be sought from the Institute of Forensic Medicine. The statement did not give details or comments about where the bullets were shot from.

Earlier, in a live televised interview, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she was willing to "open every door" for negotiations to try to find a peaceful resolution to some of the worst political turmoil in years.

The PM said she would consider resigning or dissolving the House if that would end the stalemate - however, she said the protesters' demand for a "people's assembly" was unacceptable under the Constitution.

"I don't know how we can proceed with that. We don't know how to make that happen. Right now we don't see any way of resolving this problem under the Constitution," the PM said in the 12-minute-long press conference.

"If there is any way I can restore peace, I am willing to do it. The government does not have to hold onto power; we only want peace."

This was her first public appearance after protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced on Sunday night that he had meet the premier and Army leaders earlier in the day.

Suthep said he would not be satisfied with a resignation by Yingluck or a new election. He wants a non-elected "people's council" to choose a prime minister.

Several organisations have called for peace. Seven business groups issued a joint statement yesterday, calling for negotiations with peaceful and democratic solutions.

An agreement was reportedly reached for a three-hour "ceasefire" between supporters of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), who were attempt to breach key government compounds and police protecting them.

At around 5pm, the PDRC leaders called on supporters to withdraw from all three fronts - Karn Ruen intersection near Parliament House, and the Metropolitan Police Bureau, plus the Royal Thai Police compounds, which were surrounded by a large number of PDRC supporters.

There were no further details on a possible deal and who may have made it. But high-level press conferences were expected at around 8.30pm last night.

There were reports that Bangkok police chief Pol Lt General Camronvit Toopkrajank was dismissed from a position on the government-appointed Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), which runs the anti-protest operation, for unknown reasons. But CAPO spokesman Pol Maj General Piya Uthayo later rejected this.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog told the press that Yingluck had assigned Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul to replace him as chief of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO). As new CAPO chief, Surapong said he was willing to negotiate with Suthep, provided all government offices were allowed to function normally.

Meanwhile, PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan rebutted Yingluck's statement, saying the government was doing the opposite of what she said, as red shirts were still mobilising people.

He said her decision to replace Pracha with Surapong as CAPO chief proved that her government wanted to continue fighting with the people because Surapong was directly connected with Yingluck's brother, fugitive and former prime minister Thaksin.

Key members of the ruling Pheu Thai Party also issued a statement yesterday voicing their support for Yingluck.

Deputy Commerce Minister Nuttawut Saikuar, in his capacity as a red-shirt core leader, appeared on red-run Asia Update satellite channel rejecting the PDRC's demand, and called on other red shirts to symbolically rip up paper to signify their rejection of Suthep's call for a people's council and people's charter.

He called on the reds to do this at city halls as well.

Meanwhile, PDRC protesters attempted to enter Government House for a second day. They used a wheeled tractor to remove concrete barriers around the compound but were only able to take out a few of them.

Balloons were also prepared at Democracy Monument - the main rally site - in what PDRC leaders said was an effort to deter police helicopters from flying in supplies to police units protecting the three key government strongholds.


-- The Nation 2013-12-03

[Jasun]

What's the theory here? If Yingluck won't bite, maybe The Lerm will?

[15Peter20]

It's just as well Suthep is putting all his eggs in one basket by calling in all his friends and concentrating all the support he has on the Metropolitan Police Bureau. At least when that fails, things should calm down as people realize these protests can't upset the apple cart.

The only way Suthep can hope to get anything approaching a 'victory' would be if larger numbers of people got killed. Lets see how many lives he thinks his goals are worth.

Edited December 2, 2013 by 15Peter20

[NongKhaiKid]

A master tactician in true Thai style, announce what you are going to do in advance.

Headlines are most important.

[jackrich]

A master tactician in true Thai style, announce what you are going to do in advance.

Headlines are most important.

Suthep is the master of stealth. Announcing your actions before executing them will be sure to catch the enemy by surprise! Woozzzaaa!!

[NongKhaiKid]

A master tactician in true Thai style, announce what you are going to do in advance.

Headlines are most important.

Suthep is the master of stealth. Announcing your actions before executing them will be sure to catch the enemy by surprise! Woozzzaaa!!

Oh we of little faith, this could be a move of genius. Being a Thai politician he will expect everyone thinks he's lying so he catches them off guard.

Oh my brain hurts.

[binjalin]

Onward!!! after that great VICTORY day on Sunday the Secretary-General of the Peoples' Party will stealthy attack the Police Headquarters

Secretary-General of the Peoples' Party was asked "why announce it" the Dear Leader replied "don't worry Comrade the Police don't read newspapers"

a cunning plan Secretary-General of the Peoples' Party!!!

Edited December 3, 2013 by binjalin

[gemini81]

What's the theory here? If Yingluck won't bite, maybe The Lerm will?

He's too blasted or hungover all the time to use any judgement to react, haha. Its true.

[taff33]

Any one else think that Suthep has lost the plot,I don't know about him going to jail,I think that men in white coats will be coming for him.

[Nickymaster]

The Thai police force, as we know, is extremely corrupt and enforces laws how they see fit. Majority of problems in Thailand are caused by them. Only way for Thailand to develop is to have the complete Thai police force overhauled. Suthep is hitting the nail on its head.

[englishoak]

The missus summed it up... Suthep ? e Bah Maak Maak !...

[Yunla]

Suthep can share a prison cell with Thaksin, and throw the key away.

Edited December 3, 2013 by Mario2008
libelous statement removed

[pedro01]

The Thai police force, as we know, is extremely corrupt and enforces laws how they see fit. Majority of problems in Thailand are caused by them. Only way for Thailand to develop is to have the complete Thai police force overhauled. Suthep is hitting the nail on its head.

Agreed - politicians on both sides have completely ignored this issue for decades, or rather - they have been scared to do anything about it.

Think about it - with corruption so endemic in the police force here, why is it barely ever mentioned by politicians.

Glad it's "out in the open" now maybe the 500 or so MPs will actually see discuss the police in the same way the other 65 million in Thailand do.

[jackrich]

The missus summed it up... Suthep ? e Bah Maak Maak !...

That seems to be the general opinion among Thais everywhere. Support among street thugs, deaf people, zombies and were-rabbits is still strong for him, though.

[Briggsy]

Press are now reporting protesters will be allowed in unopposed.

[Songhua]

Al Jazeera has just crossed live and reported that the Deputy Governor has ordered the removal of barriers to allow protestors closer to the HQ. This seems a little odd, are there any other reports on it?

[jackrich]

Al Jazeera has just crossed live and reported that the Deputy Governor has ordered the removal of barriers to allow protestors closer to the HQ. This seems a little odd, are there any other reports on it?

Would make sense since the Deputy Governor is a Democrat. Quite possibly even one of Suthep's bed buddies.

[ChatterRat]

Interesting tactics going on here.

A crane has arrived to remove concrete barriers from police HQ. Police removing fuel from the fire? Anymore who has turned up for a fight will now find themselves sitting inside police HQ twiddling their thumbs tacking part in a peaceful protest whether they wanted to our not.
Presume the police will have already removed the large metal box marked motoring fines. Meanwhile the clock is moving ever closer to the 5th when all will (possibly) have to go home.

Guess focus of attention will now move back to Government House once the protesters recover from their confused state due to being able to walk into police HQ uncontested.

[webfact]

Thai police say won't resist protesters at headquarters

BANGKOK (REUTERS) - Thai police said on Tuesday they would not stand in the way of protesters battling to seize the city police headquarters, a focal point of demonstrations aiming to topple the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

"Today, we won't use teargas, no confrontation, we will let them in if they want," the chief of Bangkok's metropolitan police, Kamronvit Thoopkrachang, told Reuters.

A Reuters witness said police were clearing barbed-wire barricades from outside the headquarters.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/se-asia/story/thai-police-say-wont-resist-protesters-headquarters-20131203

-- 2013-12-03

[webfact]

Bangkok deputy governor negotiates peaceful take-over



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) deputy governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang this morning offered himself to be a negotiator with the metropolitan police commissioner to allow demonstrators enter the police headquarters peacefully to avoid clashes.

Pol Gen Aswin, a former senior police with outstanding performance in crime suppression, offered himself to lead the anti-Thaksin demonstrators to enter the HQ peacefully after the metropolitan police commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Kamronvit Thoopkrachang earlier announced to let the demonstrators to seize the HQ freely and advised the police not to fire tear gas at them.

Pol Gen Aswin is now negotiating with the head of the anti-riot police guarding the defense lines for entry.

The large group of demonstrators led by protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban, is expected to arrive at the HQ before 11 a.m.

All demonstrators were advised to bring with them water bottles, towels, diving glasses to prevent tear gas and ease pains if contacted.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bangkok-deputy-governor-negotiates-peaceful-take/

-- Thai PBS 2013-12-03

[Katipo]

Interesting tactics going on here.

A crane has arrived to remove concrete barriers from police HQ. Police removing fuel from the fire? Anymore who has turned up for a fight will now find themselves sitting inside police HQ twiddling their thumbs tacking part in a peaceful protest whether they wanted to our not.

Presume the police will have already removed the large metal box marked motoring fines. Meanwhile the clock is moving ever closer to the 5th when all will (possibly) have to go home.

Guess focus of attention will now move back to Government House once the protesters recover from their confused state due to being able to walk into police HQ uncontested.

Agreed, it's a brilliant tactical move by the police and whoever orchestrated it. With no one to fight, what will they do now?

Time to go home, perhaps?

[Minnehaha]

somebody read Sun Tzu

[spirit47]

No tactic, order...Now waiting for Taksin...If he don't respect Kings Birthday, I think Thais will be very angry...

[webfact]

Tavorn declares victory after protesters allowed to enter police compound
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Rally leader Tavorn Senniem on Tuesday declared victory after Metropolitan Police Bureau allowed the anti-government protesters to enter the compound.

Tavorn however said the protesters will not enter the compound but will march outside and will give flowers to police representatives who he said supported the protesters.

"The victory we have today is at a certain stage. However this will minimise possible loss and confrontation like yesterday," he said.

Democrat-affiliated Blue Sky sattlelite channel broadcast live the protesters’ demolition of cement barricades set up earlier to block them.


-- The Nation 2013-12-03

[Rob8891]

Smart move on the authority's part.... have an 'open day' "C'mon in boys, find a seat and chill...." That should take some of the wind out of everyone's sails.

Getting out again could be a bit more difficult though

[ChatterRat]

Lets all hope for this:

https://twitter.com/thetigernutch/status/407702170989907968/photo/1

[webfact]

Suthep vows to seize Bangkok police command today



BANGKOK, Dec 3 – Anti-government protesters will storm and seize the Metropolitan Police Command today to “liberate” Thailand's police from what he calls the Thaksin regime, according to protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

In another harsh speech last night at the Government Complex which has been partly occupied and turned into a rally site, Mr Suthep said the protesters withdrew from the Metropolitan Police Command last evening after two-day seizure to avoid violence at dusk.

“I’ve told them to move out but we will return early Tuesday morning to seize it,” said the former Democrat MP.

“We will also take action against the national police chief if he refuses to switch to the people’s side. We don’t want police to be a tool of the Thaksin regime in suppressing people.”

The former deputy prime minister said he will quit politics, and refuse to run in elections nor return to the Democrat Party after the protest.

“What I’m doing now has nothing to do with the Democrat Party. Nobody can order me. I only listen to the voice of the people,” he said.

Mr Suthep, self-appointed secretary general of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, said the Yingluck administration has survived with the help of bad police.

“We will have to reform the police structure nationwide so that police are not exploited by politicians. The method of spending money to buy positions (in the police circle) must be abolished,” he said.

He challenged police to arrest him after another arrest warrant was issued for him yesterday on insurrection charges.

“After the demonstrations end, I will give myself up to the authorities and fight all charges. I will not escape. I will continue fighting no matter if the government dissolves the House and calls for a new general election,” he said.

He said the protesters’ call for a massive strike among civil servants countrywide was successful after officials failed to report for work yesterday.

“It’s time civil servants take sides, either take (the side of) the Thaksin regime or the (side of the) people. There’s no time to think,” he said.

He ruled out allegations that protesters intimidated television stations on Sunday, saying they merely requested the media to report news of the protesters’ movement and activities as equally as the government’s.

He expressed appreciation to the Thai media for having performed their duties fairly after the request.

Mr Suthep said the Thai people are fighting against a political system which has damaged the country, not a squabble among political parties.

“We have to take sides. People and politicians with the same ideology must come out now,” he said.

“Protesters must stand up and move on without using force. Provincial people must form groups to work together in harmony with Bangkok demonstrators for victory of the people.” (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-12-03

[webfact]

please continue:

Protesters declare victory

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters declared victory on Tuesday after they were allowed to enter the Government House and Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686187-bangkok-anti-government-protesters-declare-victory/

//CLOSED//